How to move to the Philippines as an expat in 2026

Dreaming of island life with all your city comforts, and access to English-speaking workplaces? The Philippines might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Moving to the Philippines means trading high costs for warm weather, warmer people, and one of the most English-friendly countries in Asia.

For these reasons and many more, it's no wonder the registered foreign population keeps growing, with Americans among the largest expat groups!

But visas, health insurance, and expenses that come along with your move can feel like a never-ending headache.That's where we come in.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• What life in the Philippines is really like for expats

• How much it costs to move and live in the Philippines

• How to handle health insurance and visa applications

• Where to look for work and accommodation

• How to make sure your pets and belongings come along for the journey

• And everything else you’ll need to know to make your move as smooth as possible

By the time we’re done, you'll know whether the Philippines is right for you and have the confidence to take the first steps in your move.

Without further ado, let's dive in!

What is life in the Philippines like?

Life in the Philippines runs on warmth, both of the weather and the people.

Filipinos are famously welcoming, and English is an official language, so you’ll have no issue navigating daily life, contracts, and hospital visits from day one.

The climate is tropical year-round, with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 32°C (77 - 90°F). Typhoon season runs from June to October, with the country averaging around 20 storms a year.

Most expats settle in a handful of hubs. Around 60% live in Metro Manila, with Cebu, Davao, and Dumaguete as the other big draws.

Still unsure whether the Philippines is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown of the key pros and cons to help you make your decision:

Is the Philippines safe for expats?

Most expats live in the Philippines without trouble. This being said, it pays to know the risks:

• Petty theft and scams happen in crowded city areas, so keep your phone close and use Grab rather than hailing taxis

• Avoid the Sulu Archipelago and much of western Mindanao, where governments advise against travel

To be as safe as possible, we recommend checking the current travel advisory before you commit to a region.

Best cities for expats in the Philippines

Whether you’re looking for big-city buzz, or barefoot beach town, the Philippines has plenty to offer. Here's how the main expat hubs compare:

Cost of living in the Philippines

If you’ve decided that the Philippines is the place for you after all, you might be wondering what it’ll all cost. Let's break it down step by step, starting with the move itself.

What does the move itself cost?

When budgeting for your move, remember to account for these one-off costs:

• Flights: One-way fares to Manila start around $350 - $450 from the US West Coast and $250 - $500 from Europe (rising toward $900+ in peak months)

• First apartment: Plan for three months' rent upfront, plus two months' security deposit and one month's advance is standard

• Visa costs: These can range from a few thousand pesos for tourist-visa extensions, to a $1,500 application fee for the retirement visa

• Shipping: If you’re hoping to bring all your belongings along with you, a 20-foot container from the US runs roughly $2,300 - $4,200

Monthly budgets

To give you a feel for day-to-day expenses, here's what life in Manila costs each month (based on current crowd-sourced data):

Cebu runs around 14% cheaper than Manila once rent is included, and smaller cities like Dumaguete are even cheaper still.

A modest single person can live comfortably in Manila on around ₱55,000 - 65,000 ($900 - 1,050) a month including a one-bed outside the centre (or $700 - 800 in Cebu or Dumaguete).

A couple should plan for roughly ₱85,000 - 110,000 ($1,400 - 1,800) a month in Manila, with a nicer apartment and regular dining out.

A family of four typically needs ₱175,000 - 250,000 ($2,850 - 4,050) a month in Manila with a three-bed home, no accounting for international school fees.

Banking and money

The currency is the Philippine peso (₱). One US dollar buys around ₱61.

Foreigners can open local bank accounts, although most major banks (BDO, BPI, Metrobank) ask for an ACR I-Card (the residence card you can only get after 59 days in the country).

Thanks to this requirement, you should plan to run on a foreign card or digital wallet for your first two months.

Here’s what to expect when opening a bank account in the Philippines:

• Opening requirements: A valid passport, ACR I-Card, proof of local address, and an initial deposit of ₱3,000 - 10,000 ($50 - 165)

• Digital wallets: GCash and Maya are everywhere from market stalls to taxis, and you can register easily with a passport alone.

• ATM fees: local machines charge foreign cards around ₱250 ($4) per withdrawal

• Transfers: services like Wise or Remitly usually beat bank rates for moving money in

Healthcare in the Philippines

Making sure you stay safe and insured is of the upmost importance, and healthcare is the part of the move that deserves the most planning.

The good news is that private care in Philippine cities is excellent and affordable. The downside, however, is that you'll usually pay for it yourself.

How does healthcare work?

The Filipino healthcare system has two tiers.

Public hospitals tend to be crowded and underfunded, while private hospitals in major cities deliver international-standard care at a fraction of Western prices.

Here’s what you can expect under the private system:

• Flagship hospitals like St. Luke's Medical Center (BGC and Quezon City) and Makati Medical Center are internationally accredited, with English-speaking and often US-trained doctors

• A GP visit costs ₱500 - 1,000 ($8 - 16), and a specialist consultation around ₱1,000 -5,000 ($16 - 80). You won’t find such costs like these in almost any other country!

• Payment is upfront. Private hospitals typically ask for a deposit or proof of insurance before admission

Concerning health risks, dengue fever is a real concern in the rainy season (use repellent, clear standing water), and care quality drops sharply outside major cities.

For any and all emergencies, dial 911.

Can expats use the public system?

Yes. Long-term residents can enroll in PhilHealth, the national health insurance program.

Enrollment is open to resident aliens with long-stay visas, at around ₱17,000 ($280) a year, or a special rate of ₱15,000 for SRRV retirees.

But you should treat PhilHealth as a baseline, not real coverage.

PhilHealth pays fixed case rates that rarely cover the full bill, and rely on it means that a multi-night private hospital stay can leave you tens of thousands of pesos out of pocket.

Learn more about PhilHealth for expats

Do expats need health insurance in the Philippines?

Yes — for the Digital Nomad Visa it's a formal requirement, and for everyone else it's the difference between a bill and a crisis.

Here's why international health insurance matters in the Philippines:

• Private hospitals expect payment or proof of cover upfront, even in emergencies

• PhilHealth's case rates leave large gaps on serious treatment

• A medical evacuation can cost more than a year's salary without cover

That's where we come in.

Feather's international health insurance covers you from day one and works across borders.

Visas and immigration

Now for the tricky part, the visa paperwork. Thankfully, figuring out which visa you need is a lot simpler than it looks.

Visa types

Five routes cover almost every expat situation:

• Tourist visa (9a): Most nationalities get 30 days on arrival, extendable up to a total of 36 months. Many expats live this way for years, but it doesn't allow work and means regular renewal trips.

• Digital Nomad Visa: Lets remote workers stay for 1 year (renewable) with multiple entry. You'll need to work only for clients outside the Philippines and show income of at least $24,000/year.

• SRRV retirement visa: For applicants 40 and older, this visa grants indefinite stay and permanent residency. The Classic option requires a bank deposit between $15,000 - $50,000.

• Work visa (9g): For employees of Philippine-registered companies. Your employer sponsors it alongside your Alien Employment Permit (the full process can take 2–7 months).

• Marriage visa (13a): For spouses of Filipino citizens. Issued as a 1-year probationary visa first, then converted to permanent residency. No deposit is required.

The Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of valid health insurance for your entire stay.

For other visas it isn't always mandatory, but going uninsured in a cash-upfront private system is a risk we'd never recommend taking.

How to apply

The application process varies by visa, but the general framework is the same:

1. Gather your documents: Passport, application form, police clearance, and a medical certificate (foreign documents must be translated into English and apostilled)

2. Apply through a Philippine embassy, the e-visa portal (Digital Nomad Visa), the PRA (SRRV), or the Bureau of Immigration in-country

3. For the SRRV, remit your visa deposit to a PRA-accredited bank from abroad before approval

4. After arrival, register with the Bureau of Immigration for your ACR I-Card (SRRV holders are exempt from this step)

How to get Philippine citizenship

Thinking of settling down in the Philippines even longer-term? There are three realistic paths to citizenship:

• By descent: If one of your parents was a Filipino citizen when you were born, you're likely a citizen already and can apply for recognition

• Reacquisition: Former natural-born Filipinos who naturalized elsewhere can reacquire citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance at a Philippine consulate.

• Naturalization: Possible after 10 years of legal residence (5 if you're married to a Filipino), but it's a slow, discretionary court process. Few expats end up using this route

For the millions of Filipino-Americans and other diaspora families, reacquisition is by far the fastest door back.

Working in the Philippines: jobs, salaries, and taxes

Job market for expats

Local salaries in the Philippines are low by Western standards. The average net salary in Manila is around ₱30,000 ($490) a month.

That's why most expats arrive with income, not in search of it.

Here are some realistic options to consider:

• Remote work for a foreign employer (by far the most common setup)

• Senior roles in multinationals and BPO firms: Foreign managers and specialists are ofte hired in IT, finance, and operations

• Teaching at international schools, embassy and NGO work, or running your own business

To be employed locally, you'll need an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor, and your employer must show no Filipino candidate could fill the role.

Job hunting happens mainly through platforms like JobStreet, LinkedIn, and Kalibrr.

Salary and taxes

The Philippines has a big advantage for foreign residents: as a foreign national, you're only taxed on income earned inside the Philippines.

That means any foreign-source income isn't taxed by the Philippine government.

For Philippine-source income, rates are progressive:

US citizens still file with the IRS on worldwide income wherever they live, and a US–Philippines tax treaty helps prevent double taxation.

Cross-border tax gets complicated fast, so we recommend speaking to a tax professional before you move.

Renting and buying property in the Philippines

Foreigners can rent without restriction in the Philippines, and many landlords accept tenants on tourist visas.

Lamudi and Dot Property are the main portals, and Facebook groups work well for smaller cities. Two months' security deposit plus one month's advance rent is standard, and a 12 month lease is typical.

Remember never to transfer money before viewing a property in person or via live video. Listing scams target newcomers.

Buying

Foreigners can't own land in the Philippines, the constitution bans it outright.

However, there are a few ways to work around this:

• Buy a condo, as long as foreigners own no more than 40% of the units in the building

• Lease land long-term (decades-long terms, renewable) and own the house built on it

• Buy through a corporation that's at least 60% Filipino-owned

In any case, we recommend renting for at least a year before buying anything.

Moving to the Philippines: shipping, pets, and schooling

Shipping and pets

A 20-foot container from the US costs roughly $2,300 - 4,200 and takes 18 - 35 days. Many expats skip the container entirely, since furnished condos are common and furniture is cheap locally.

Bringing a pet, on the other hand, is very doable:

• Apply online for an import permit (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Animal Industry before you fly

• Your pet will need a microchip, rabies vaccination at least 14 days before travel, and a health certificate

• There's no facility quarantine, though a home-quarantine period may apply

Schools and education

Manila boasts a number of international schools. International School Manila, Brent, and the British School Manila are the best known, with Cebu offering solid options too.

Expect annual tuition from ₱300,000 to ₱1.5 million ($4,900 - 24,500+) depending on school and grade, plus one-time entry fees that can run several thousand dollars.

Places at top schools fill up fast, so apply as early as you can.

Your "Moving to the Philippines" checklist

Feeling ready? Here's the whole move, step by step.

Before you leave

1. Choose and apply for your visa: Decide between the tourist route, Digital Nomad Visa, SRRV, work, or marriage visa.

2. Take out international health insurance: Private hospitals ask for payment or proof of cover upfront, so arrange health insurance in the Philippines before you fly.

3. Start school and pet paperwork if they're coming too: International school places fill early, and your pet's import permit must be issued before travel.

After arriving

1. Get a local SIM card: Globe and Smart counters at the airport register you with just a passport.

2. Set up GCash or Maya: A digital wallet handles everything from taxis to market stalls while you wait for a bank account.

3. Register for your ACR I-Card after 59 days: It's the residence card banks and landlords ask for (SRRV holders are exempt).

4. Open a local bank account: Bring your passport, ACR I-Card, proof of address, and an initial deposit.

5. Enroll in PhilHealth if you hold a long-stay visa: Useful as a baseline layer alongside your international cover.

6. Mark the Annual Report in your calendar: Every registered foreign national must report in person to the Bureau of Immigration between 1 January and 1 March each year.

Before you go...

Moving across the world takes courage, and no small amount of paperwork.

But with the right preparation, the Philippines rewards you with a life that's warmer, friendlier, and more affordable than you can imagine.

One last thing: remember that private hospitals in the Philippines expect payment or proof of insurance upfront, even in an emergency.

Getting covered before you go is the single most important step on the list.

Get a quote — and we'll see you on the islands.